Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3484: Chris Rock's Opening Monologue at the 2016 Oscars - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Chris Rock emceed the 2106 Academy Awards Sunday night. And had there had been any doubt - Rock immediately dealt with the elephant in the room - Is Hollywood racist? Here is a portion of his opening monologue (beginning at 2:20 in the above video):

"Is it, is it 'Burning-Cross' racist? No. Is it, 'Fetch-me-some-lemonade' racist? No - nah, nah, nah, it's a - it's a different type of racist. [edit splice]You're damn right Hollywood's racist! - But it ain't the racist that you - that you've grown accustomed to. Hollywood is - 'Sorority-Racist'. It's like - 'We like you Rhonda - but you're not a Kappa'."

During 2:40 - 2:41, as he said "... We like ...", Chris Rock displayed a Pseudo-Prayer
with mild Hand-Chopping
component (see video for this motion dynamic). 






The pseudo-prayer is an example of a nonverbal signal known as an Illustrator-MAP Hybrid (MAP is an acronym for 'Manipulator, Adaptor, Pacifier'). The vast majority of quality comedians have a high level of intuitive feel for body language - equal or superior to that of most experienced actors - and Chris Rock is a master at both.

In his monologue, within the context of Chris Rock's metaphor 'Sorority Racist' - for a moment he channels a condescending sorority sister - and here, the pseudo-prayer gesture hits precisely the right tone. He's using this nonverbal display in an acting scenario. In contrast, many people who fancy themselves as leaders (or those in leadership positions) will use the pseudo-prayer and thus will destroy rapport rather than build it. Rock's comedic intuition (or perhaps choreography) is spot-on however, capturing (in this one-sentence skit within his monologue) the thinly veiled arrogance of this (in any other context) body language faux pas.

An important additional nuance is exampled by the additional superimposed up-and-down, hand-chopping motion - which Mr. Rock does here to a mild degree. This serves to amplify the patronizing emotional tones above and beyond what this body language signal already conveys.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3483: Kate Winslet's Reaction to Leonardo DiCaprio's Oscar for Best Actor

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3483: Kate Winslet's Reaction to Leonardo DiCaprio's Oscar for Best Actor - Body Language (PHOTOS)

This is Kate Winslet just after Leonardo DiCaprio won the Best Actor Oscar for his role in The Revenant.

When evaluating this moment from a nonverbal perspective, there several crucial components which are very telling. Grouped together these signals are called a "cluster".

1. Note Kate's central forehead is contracted and elevated (elevated CFC). This is seen concomitant with her inner (medial) eyebrow also being raised.

2. Kate's Eyelids are opened up significantly wider than baseline - with some tension in her lower eyelids. We can see some redness in the whites (conjunctiva) of her eyes - together with some tears.

3. Her hands are touching and partially covering her mouth. Whenever a person's hand(s) are touching the face - particularly when covering the mouth, nose and eyes in reaction to something happening to another person (or animal) - there is a very significant component of EMPATHY present.

4. Whenever there's an elevated CFC present, it's crucial to immediately evaluate the configuration of the mouth. Here, although Ms. Winslet's mouth is partially covered - yet we can see she is certainly not smiling - even though she's in deep empathy with Leo during a time of recognition for his accomplishment. What specific emotion would you say her mouth is conveying if it were the only part of her face you could see?

Summary: Kate Winslet is feeling very strong empathy for Leonardo DiCaprio. People who routinely display such a body language cluster for others have a high empathy quotient.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3482: Donald Trump Refuses to Disavow David Duke and the KKK

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3370: Michael Fassbender and an Under-recognized Body Language Tell

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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3239: Gaston Meet and Greet Near Gaston's Tavern, New Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom - and a Characteristic Facial Expression indicating .... 

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